American singer Carl Carlton has passed away at the age of 72.
Best remembered for his infectious hits during the disco era, Carlton first captured the nation’s attention with his 1974 cover of “Everlasting Love”.
Often compared to Stevie Wonder
For countless fans, Carl Carlton’s music was the soundtrack of their childhood and remains beloved to this day. His version of “Everlasting Love” was breathtaking — the soaring melody and genuine emotion made it impossible not to be swept up in its romance.
Born Carlton Hudgens in Detroit, he launched his music career as a preteen under the name “Little Carl Carlton” and quickly signed with the Texas label Back Beat. There, he released early singles like “Competition Ain’t Nothin’”, “Drop by My Place”, and “I Can Feel It”.
Although these tracks didn’t make him a household name in the U.S., they became cherished favorites within the Northern Soul club scene in the U.K.
But with his bright, flexible vocals often compared to Stevie Wonder, Carlton finally broke into the American mainstream with the 1974 hit “Everlasting Love.”
The strings-driven, near-disco track climbed to No. 6 on Billboard’s Hot 100, establishing him as a major R&B presence.
His persistence paid off
By the late 1970s, now in his late 20s, Carlton fought to exit his initial recording contract and signed with 20th Century Fox Records. Reflecting on his early career, he told the Detroit Free Press in 1981, “This business is very tricky, especially if you’re young. When you’re young, you’re excited, and you’ll sign anything. That’s what happened to me.”
His persistence paid off. Carlton became a key figure in Detroit’s post-Motown R&B scene, a status cemented in 1981 with “She’s a Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked),” which reached No. 2 on Billboard’s soul chart.
He followed that success with a 1982 reggae-infused cover of the Four Tops’ “Baby I Need Your Loving,” which cracked the R&B top 20, further showcasing his versatility and enduring appeal.
By the 1990s, Carlton’s recording output had slowed, but he remained active as a live performer, appearing at venues across metro Detroit as well as fairs and festivals nationwide. Throughout his career, Carlton collaborated with music legends such as Smokey Robinson, Rick James, Teena Marie, Stevie Wonder, The Commodores, and Chaka Khan.
“He was definitely entertaining, without a shadow of a doubt. He always did a great rendition of ‘Bad Mama Jama,’ whether you wanted him to or not,” said Phil Dick, founder of Detroit A Go Go. “He didn’t crave the spotlight, but when it shone on him, he didn’t want to get away from it.”
Suffered a stroke in 2019
Carlton had been dealing with complications from a stroke he suffered in 2019. He passed away on December 14, 2025, at the age of 72, according to Rolling Stone.
His son, Carlton Hudgens II, confirmed the news on Sunday. “RIP Dad, Legend Carl Carlton singer of She’s a Bad Mama Jama. Long hard fight in life and you will be missed,” he wrote on social media alongside a photo of his father.
Carl is surely singing in heaven now. Rest in peace, sir, and thank you for all the unforgettable memories. What a talent he was! Everlasting Love will remain a timeless classic ❤️
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